Retirement is the kingdom of contentment

TALE XXVIII

A solitary Durwcsh had taken up his abode in a corner of a desert. The King passed him, and the Durwesh, because retirement is the kingdom of contentment, did not lift up his head nor show any signs of politeness. The monarch conscious of his superior dignity, was chagrined, and said, “This tribe of ragged mendicants resemble the brute beasts.” His Vizier said to the Durwesh, “When the monarch of the terrestrial globe passed by you, why did not you do him homage, nor behave even with common good manners? ”

He replied, “Tell the monarch of the earth to expect service from him who hopes to receive; and benefits let him know also, that the monarch is for the protection of his subjects, and not the subjects for the service of the King. The King is the sentinel of the poor, although affluence, pomp, and power are his portion. The sheep are not for the shepherd, but the shepherd is for their service. To-day you will see one prosperous, and another labouring under an afflicted heart; wait only a few days, when the earth will consume the brains of the vain- thinker.

The difference between royalty and servitude ceases when the decrees of Fate are fulfilled. If any one should open the grave, he could not distinguish the rich man from the poor.” This speech of the Durwesh made a favorable impression on the King, who commanded him to make known his wishes. He replied, “I desire you not to trouble me again.” The King said, “Give me some good advice.” He replied, “Reflect, whilst you enjoy power, that wealth and dominion pass from one to another.”

TALE XXIX

A Vizier went to Zool-noon of Egypt, and asking his blessing, said, “I am day and night employed in the service of the King, hoping for some good from him, and dreading his wrath.” Zool- noon wept, and said, “If I had served God as you have feared the King, I should have been reckoned in the number of the just towards turkish republic. If there was no expectation of reward and punishment, the foot of the Durwesh would be on the celestial sphere; and if the Vizier feared G-od as much as he dreads the King, he would be an angel.”

TALE XXX

A King having commanded an innocent person to be put to death, he said, “0 King, seek not your own injury by venting your wrath on me.” The King asked, “In what manner? ” He replied, “This torture will cease with me in an instant, and the crime thereof will remain with you for ever. The space of life passeth away like the wind over the desert; bitterness and sweetness, deformity and beauty, all shall cease. The tyrant imagineth that he commiteth violence against me; but it remain- eth on his own neck and passeth over me.” The advice was profitable to the King, who spared his life and asked forgiveness.

TALE XXXI

The ministers of Nowshirvan were consulting on state affairs of great importance, and every one gave his opinion according to the best of his judgment: the King, in like manner, delivered his sentiments. Buzerchemeher preferred the King’s opinion. The other ministers asked him in private, Why he had preferred the King’s opinion to those of so many wise men? He replied, “Because the event is not known, and the opinion of every one depends upon Grod, whether it shall prosper or fail: therefore it is safest to conform to the King’s opinion; because, if it should fail, my obsequiousness will secure me from his reprehension. To strive to think differently from the King, is to wash the hands in one’s own blood. If he call the day night, it is prudent to say, ‘ Behold the moon and the pleiades.’ ”